SILOAM SPRINGS -- Shooting 47 percent from the floor and winning the rebounding battle, the John Brown University raced out to an early lead and never looked back as the Golden Eagles opened league play with a 70-46 win over Oklahoma City on Tuesday (Nov. 28) evening inside Bill George Arena.
The Golden Eagles (4-3, 1-0 Sooner Athletic) improved to 3-0 on the season when shooting over 40 percent and easily posted a season-high on the evening, hitting 27-of-58 from the field in the squad's home opener.
Senior Tarrah Stephens shot perfectly from the floor, hitting all six field goals, three from behind the arc, to complete a 17-point performance and finished with a team-leading 10 rebound to round out her first double-double of the season. Senior Natalie Smith added 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists, while junior Emily Sanders chipped in with 10 points, six boards and four helpers.
John Brown sank 8-of-16 from the floor over the first 10 minutes of play, and limited the Stars (1-4, 0-1) to just 22 percent from the floor, allowing the hosts to bolt out to a 17-9 lead after the first quarter.
Oklahoma City led 2-0 for 18 seconds, before JBU scored nine of the next 11 points and never trailed the rest of the way. The hosts enjoyed the lead for 37:59 of the evening.
The Stars did out-score John Brown by a 20-16 margin in the fourth, but the 54-26 Golden Eagles lead after three was too much to overcome for Oklahoma City as it ended the night shooting 28 percent (18-of-64) from the floor.
Junior Graci Harris also scored eight points and posted a game-high six assists. Senior Bella Irlenborn posted seven points and seven rebounds, four of which came on the offensive glass.
JBU enjoyed a 44-34 rebounding advantage, and excelled in the paint to the tune of 41-25.
Jerzie Bryant led Oklahoma City with 11 points and five rebounds. Myracle Washington landed 10 points in the Stars' fourth-consecutive loss.
The Golden Eagles continue its three-game stretch this week by facing off with Central Christian (Kan.) on Thursday (Nov. 30) night in McPherson, Kan. The contest will air live on the SAC Sports Network live from Jerry Alexander Arena.
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